Lookout Mountain, Ga. – On August 28, 2008, at the 54th annual convocation of Covenant College, President Niel Nielson will announce the naming of two new additions to Covenant’s campus: a new academic building, Brock Hall, and the newest portion of the campus green, the Dottie BrockGardens. These names honor former Covenant College president and current Covenant College Foundation president, Dr. Frank Brock, and his wife, Mrs. Dottie Brock.
Dr. Brock is a lifelong resident of the Chattanooga area and has a distinguished record of community service. After a career in business, he became the college’s president in 1987, and served until 2002, at which point he became the first president of the Covenant College Foundation. His years at Covenant were marked by tremendous growth of the faculty, student body, and campus facilities. During his tenure as president, the faculty grew from 34 to 55 faculty members, and 5 new majors were added. Covenant’s Master of Education program was launched under his leadership, and the total college enrollment grew from fewer than 500 students to more than 1,100. The college endowment grew from less than $1 million to more than $13.5 million, and the size of the campus more than doubled, with eight new buildings constructed.
“Dr. Brock’s legacy spans far beyond the many landmark successes of his presidency,” said Dr. Nielson. “It is marked most definitively by his heartfelt love for students and the mission of Covenant. It is our prayer that Brock Hall, in all that goes on within its walls, will mirror his commitment and his zeal for the cause of taking every thought and action captive to Christ.”
Brock Hall, which is one piece of Covenant’s current BUILD campaign, was completed in May and now functions as a central part of the academic program. Directly across from Carter Hall, it has 24,000 square feet on three floors, and includes classrooms, a lecture hall, faculty offices, a faculty lounge, and indoor and outdoor commons.
The Dottie BrockGardens, the lawn that now stretches between Brock Hall and Carter Hall, also promises to be a central part of the everyday life of the college community.
During her husband’s presidency, Mrs. Dottie Brock undertook the task of landscaping the grounds of the College. Mrs. Brock invested many hours and funds in the beautification of the growing campus, and has continued her care for this aspect of the campus even to the present day. Her leadership as Covenant’s “first lady” was often demonstrated in quiet, unassuming ways.
“Whether it was preparing care packages for students or weeding the flower beds in front of Carter Hall, Mrs. Brock led by serving,” said Dr. Nielson. “She put her heart and soul into the gardens that make this campus so attractive, restful, and welcoming. It is our prayer that the Dottie BrockGardens will be a place where students will learn to live with the same loving care and selfless service that has been a mark of Dottie’s life.”